elcome to a celebratory website that charts the history and triumphs of 50 years of best kept village competitions in Lincolnshire. This is an event steeped in tradition, in local rivalry and above all in community spirit. Entrants come from every conceivable type of community and every part of those communities. Often it is the parish council that takes the lead but in many cases local groups are formed especially for the competition. Almost inevitably there will be key individuals that play a leading role in the preparations for the judges’ visit. Then there are the judges themselves, a dedicated volunteer army, that spend many hours travelling the winding lanes of Lincolnshire trying to separate the exemplary from the exquisite and the distinctive from the desirable. In all it is an effort worthy of celebration and throughout this site you will find evidence of past glories and hopefully a hint of things to come.

Horncastle Market Place circa 1962

THE PROJECT

T he idea for the Lincolnshire Best Kept Villages and Small Towns Competitions’ 50th Anniversary Heritage Project arose through consultation with participants, volunteers and judges who have been part of the competition for many years. Everyone involved felt the approaching 50th Anniversary would be an excellent opportunity to celebrate the huge volume of community effort and participation which has been generated by the competition.

THE COMPETITION

T he Best Kept Villages and Small Towns Competition was introduced to Lincolnshire, in its present form, by Lincolnshire Branch CPRE and Community Lincs in 1962. The aim of the competition was to encourage residents in villages and small towns throughout the county to appreciate their surroundings and take pride in the communities in which they lived.

CREDITS

C ommunity Lincs and the Campaign to Protect Rural England would like to thank Lincolnshire County Council and Boston Borough, East Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey District Councils for their support over the years. They have consistently worked in partnership with us, supporting the competition, providing funding and encouraging communities to get involved.